Refrigerator of the adsorption type



l. AMUNDSEN REFRIGERATOR OF THE ADSORPTION TYPE July 28, 19.31.

Original Filed March 10, 1930 Patented 111,28; 1931 UNITED STATES mmmunnsnn, or osLo, NORWAY REFRIGERATOR OF THE ABSORPTION TYPE Applicationfiled March 10, 1930, SeriaI No. 434,739. Renewed June 16, 1981.

The present invention relates to refrigerators of the adsorption typesof the kind in, which the adsorption vessel is intermittently heated andcooled in order to intermittently 5 liberate and adsorbrefrigeratingfluid,

The main object of the invention is to provide a refrigerator of thiskind, which is adapted to operate economically without being connectedto a" supply of cooling liquid,

the amount of heat to be dispensed with being carried away by means ofthe surrounding air. l

The main difiiculty to be dealt with in 'refrigerators of this kind,when no continuous supply of coolmg liquid is-utilized, lies in theprovsion of effective cooling surfaces for transferring the heat fromthe adsorption vessel to the surrounding air. v

This ditficulty may be overcome by providao'ing mechanical means forcausing 'a strong current'of cooling air to'pass the surfaces, fromwhich heat is to be transmitted, but

' this means a serious complication of the apparatus, as it necessitatesthe use of an electri- 1callly or mechanically operated fan or the 1 e.v v p In accordance with the presentinvention the apparatus comprisesbesides the adsorpt1on vessel a heat accumulating body having anextensive cooling surface exposed to the surrounding air, sa1dadsorption vessel and said heat accumulating body having substantiallyparallel heat transmitting surfaces located ad] acent each other, meansbeing rovided for establishing and interruptin eat exchanging relationsbetween the said heat transmitting surfaces.

Thus, when the adsorption vessel has been heated from a suitable sourceof heat, such 0 as a gas jet or an electric heating element for asuitable period of time, the means referred I to are operated so as toestablish heat exchanging relations between the said ,heat transmittingsurfaces, and the heat accumu- 4 lated in' the adsorption vessel will berapidly transmitted to the said accumulating ody, the heat accumulatingea acity of which 1s many times lar er than tiiat of the adsorptidi ifiessel and t eadsorption medium.

temperature of the heat accumulatingbody will accordingly rise onlyslightly. during the transmission of heat from the adsorption vessel,and a rapid cooling of the adsorp- I tion vessel is secured. v

The accumulating body being provided with an extensive cooling surfacein contact with the surorunding air, will transfer the heat transmittedto the same from the adsorption vessel during the adsorption and the subsequent heatin period, and will be readyto take up a furt er amount ofheat from the adsorption vessel when the said heating or liberatinperiod has terminated.

Accor ing to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the said heat.accumulating body is made in the form of a vessel contain ing a liquid,said vessel being also utilized as COIIdBIISIII vessel for theadsorption fluid liberated during the heating period from the adsorptionvessel. e

The means'for establishing and interrupting heat exchanging relationsbetween the adjacent heat transmitting surfaces of adsorption vessel andheat accumulating body, may preferably be controlled dlrectly orindirectly from the intermittently operatlng heating means for theadsorption vessel.

The establishing and interrupting of heat exchanging relations betweenthe said two surfaces may take place by causing the adsorption vesseland accumulatmg body to perform a slight'movement with regard to eachother, so as to bring their ad acent heat transmitting surfaces in closecontact,'or at a slight distance from each other The said movement mayeas1ly controlled by means of a thermostat device or the like associatedwith the heating means.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention the adsortion vessel and accumulating body are statmnary with re ard to eachother, and heat exchangmg rellitions between their adjacent heat trans;mitting surfaces are caused by fill ng the space between the said heattransm1tt1n surfaces with a heat conductive body, whlc acts to transmitthe heat from one surface to the other. a

The said heat transmitting body may be in the form of pivoted dampers ofa good heat i I During the sel the same will accordingly be insulatedfrom the condenser vessel 7 by the air-filled conductive materialadapted to be brought to their parallel edges in contact with both heattransmitting surfaces, or the heat transmitting medium may consist of aliquid adapted to be introduced into and removed from the space betweenthe said heat trans-.

mitting surfaces.

On the-drawings some embodiments of the invention are illustrateddiagrammatically.

' Fig. 1 is a diagrammatical sectional view of one embodiment of theinvention, Fig. 2

is a detail on a larger scale of a modification,

and Fig. 3 is a diagrammatical sectional yiew of another embodiment ofthe invention.

In accordance with the form of the invention illustrated on Fig. 1, 1 isan adsorption vessel which'is heated by means of a gas jet 2, thecombustion gases from which pass along one-side of 'the adsorptionvessel..

'20 The gas jet is opened and shut at suitable intervals by means of acock 3 actuated by a suitable thermostatic device 4, controlled by thetemperature in the interior of the adsorption vessel 1. The 0 eration ofthe intermit- .25 tent heating means 1s well known in adsorptionrefrigerators of similar types, and does tion vessel 1 with condenservessel 7, and 9 is g the evaporator from which the condensedrefrigerating .fluid is evaporated by means of heat taken up from therefrigerator cabinet (not shown).

The narrow space 10 between the adjacent arallel surfaces 5, 6communicates at the ower end through a' tube 11 with thelower part of atank or vessel 12 containing a liquid, such as water. The upper'part ofthe said space 10 communicates through tube 13 with a closed gas or.air. filled vessel 14,'located adj acent the gas jet 2 so as tobeheated by the.

'50 same. When the heating means donot operate, space 10 is completelyfilled with liquid' This may be obtained by suitably regulating "thepressure in tank 12 or by placing tank 12 at,

the desired level. When the heating is start ed, the air or gas invessel 14 will expand and will press the liquid out of space 10 intostorage tank. 12.. v

heating of-the adsorption vesspace10.

As soon as the heatingis interrupted, the

airir rvessel-14will again cool down, the res as sure in space 10 willdecfease, and the lrquid will flow back into the said space from stor-'age tank 12, so as to establish heat exchanging relations between thesurface 5 of the heat adsorbervessel 1 and the surface 6 of the cold orcool condenser vessel 7.

As the heat accumulating capacity of the said condenservessel is manytimes larger than that of the adsorber vessel and the adsorption medium,the transmission of heat accumulated in the adsorber vessel to thecondenser vessel will only cause a slight rise in the temperature of thelatter, and the heat transmitted to the condenser vessel will betransferred to the surrounding air from the extensive coolingsurfaces ofthe condenser vessel, which is preferably provided with cooling ribs orthe like, as indicated at 15.

In case the same liquid, for instance water, is used for filling thecondenser vessel 7 as well as for filling the space 10, the tank 12 maybe dispensed with, andspace 10 may be connected atits lower end with theinte rior of tank 7. g Y

Instead of using a liquid, such as water, for establishing heatexchanging relations between surfaces 5 and fifths same object may beattained as indicated on Fig. 2, by means of pivoted dampers 16 adaptedto be controlled by a suitable thermostatic device from the heatingmeans, so as to automatically'take up the position shown in full linesduring the heating period, and the position shown in dotted lines duringthe cooling period, so as to permit the transmission of heat fromsurface 5 to surface 6 during that period.'

In accordance with the form of the invention illustrated on Fig. 3, theadsorption vessel 1 is adapted to perform a slight movement towards andaway from the condenser vessel 7, in order that the adjacent surfaces 5,6 may be brought into close. contact with each other to establish heatexchanging relations, or'removed from each other during the periodofheating. 1

As it will be seen onthe drawings, the adsorption vessel is hinged tothe condenser .vessel 7 at 16', a spring 17 connecting the two vesselsat theirupper end and .tending to keepsurfaces 5, 6 in close contactwith each. other.

The thermostatic device serving to automatically interrupt the contactbetween surfaces 5 and 6. during the heating period, consists ofa rod 18of steel orother suitable material, with a high heat expansioncoefficient located in the heating flue 19, passing arm of which engagesan abutment 22 on the condenser tank j The heating of rod 18 will causebell crank lever 21 to swing in the direction of the ar-' i anadsorption vessel, means for intermittentan adsorption vessel,intermittently oper 1 v,atilig lfneans for heatin ly heating the same, avessel containing a a body of liquid, said adsorption vessel and saidsecond vessel having adjacent substantially parallel surfaces and meansfor establishing heat exchanging relations between said adjacentsurfaces. I

3. In a refrigerator of the-adsorption type an adsorption vesselintermittently o erating means for heating the same, a con enser vesselcontaining a liquid, said adsorption vessel and said condenser vesselhaving substantially parallel adjacent surfaces and means forestablishing heatexchangin relations between the saidadjacent sur aces.

'4. In a refrigerator of the adsor' tion type an adsorption vesselintermittent y o erating means for heating the same, ajcon enser vesselcontaining a liquid, said adsorption vessel and said condenser vesselhaving substantially parallel adjacent surfaces, means for esta lishingheat exchanging relations between the said adjacent surfaces and meansfor interrupting said heat exchanging relations.

5. In a refrigerator of the'adsorption type ating means for heating thesame, a condenser vessel containing a liquid, said adsorption vessel andsaid condenser vessel having substantially parallel adjacent surfacesand means for establishing and interruptin heat" exchangingrelationsbetween said ad acent surfaces.

6. In a refrigerator of the adsorption type an adsorption, vessel,intermittently operating means for heating the same, a condenser vesselcontaining a liquid, said adsorption vessel and said condenser vesselhaving sub stantially parallel adjacent surfaces, and

means controlled by the said heating meansfor establishing andinterruptin 'heat exchanging relatlons between sai adjacent surfaces.

7. In a refrigerator of the adsorption type an adsorption vessel,intermittently oper-'- the same, a vessel containin g'a body'of liquidhaving a heat storing capacity several timeslarger than that of theadsorbent, said adsorption vessel and said second vessel havingsubstantially parallel adjacent surfaces and means for establishing andinterruptin heat exchangifng relations between the'said adjacentsuraces.

8. In a refrigerator of the adsorption type 1 an adsorption vessel,intermittently operating means for heating the same, a condenser vesselcontaining a liquid, said adsorption vessel and said condenser vesselhaving substantiall parallel adjacent surfaces, means for estahlishinheat exchanging relations between said a jacent surfaces at thetermination of each heating period and interru ting said heat exchangingrelations at the ginning of the next heatin period.

9. In a refrigerator of the adsorption type an adsorption vessel,intermittently operating means for heating the same, a condenser vesselcontaining a liquid, said adsorption vessel and said condenser vesselhaving substantially parallel adjacent surfaces and means for fillingthe s ace between said'adjacent surfaces with a iquid at the terminationof each heating period and for removing the said liquid at the beginningof the next heating period. I

10. In a refrigerator of the adsorption type an adsorption vessel,intermittently operating means for heating the same, a condenser vesselcontaining a liquid, said adsorption vessel and said condenser vesselhaving substantially parallel adjacent surfaces and means'forautomatically filling thespace between said adjacent surfaces' with aliquid at' the termination of each heating period and for removing thesaid liquid at the beginning of the next heating period. a

' 11. In a refrigerator of the adsorption type an adsorptionivessel,intermittently operated means for heatin the same, a condenser vesselcontaining a llquid, said adsorption vessel and said condenser vesselhaving substantially parallel adjacent surfaces, and means controlled bythe said heatin means for automatically filling the space %etW8BI1 saidadjacent surfaces with a liquid at the termination of each heatingperiod and for removing the said liquid at the beginning of the nextheating period. v

a 12. In a refrigerator of the adsorption type an adsorption vessel,means for intermittently heating the same, a heat accumulating body,said adsor tion vessel and said heat accumulating bo y having adjacentsubstantially parallel surfaces, means comprising a closed gas filledvessel heated by the said heating means for varying the pressure in thespace between said ad acent surfaces and a body of liquid communicatingwith said space.

13. In arefrigerator of the adsorption type an adsorption vessel, meansfor intermittently heating the same, a heat accumulatmg stantiallyparallel sur body, said adsor tion vessel and said heat accumulatingbody having adjacent substantially parallel surfaces, a con uitconnebtin the space between said adjacent surfaces wit 5 a, vesselcontaining a liquid and means controlled by the. said heating means forvarying the ratio between the pressure in said space and said vessel.

14. In a refrigerator of the adsorption type an adsorption vessel, meansfor intermittently heatin the same, a heat accumulating body, sai adsortion vessel and said heat accumulating bo y havin adjacent substantiallyparallel surfaces, a ody of liquid filling the space between saidsurfaces, a storage tank communicating with said space, and means forvarying the ratio of pressure in said space and storage tank. 7

15. In a refrigerator of the adsorption 2 type an adsorption vessel,means for intermittently heating the same, a heat accumu-. lating body,said adsorption vessel and said heat accumulating body havin adjacentsubstantially parallel surfaces, a ody of liquid filling the spacebetween said surfaces, a storage tank communicating with said space, andmeans for increasing the pressure in said space in order to transferliquid from the same to the said storage tank.

16. Ina refrigerator of the'adsorption ype an adsorption vessel, meansfor intermittently heat ng the's'ame, a heat accumulating body, saidadsorption vessel and said heat accumulating bod having adjacent sub- Istantially parallel sur aces, a body of liquid filling the space betweensaid surfaces, a storage tank communicating with said space, and meanscontrolled by the heating'means for increasing the pressure in saidspace in '40 order to transfer liquid from the same to the said storagetank.

, 17. In a refrigerator of the adsorption type an adsorption vessel,means for mtermittently heating the same, a heat accumulating'body, saidadsorption vessel and said heat accumulating body havin adjacentsubaces, adiody of liquid filling the space between said surfaces,-astorthe heating means for varying the ratio of pressure between saidauxiliary vessel and said storage tank, in order to alternatively fillsaid auxiliary vessel with liquid and remove the said li uid.

19.-In a refrigerator of the adsorption type an adsorption vessel,intermittently operating means for heating the same, a corn denservessel containing a liquid, said addenser vessel, in order toalternately fill said auxiliary vessel with liquid and remove the saidli uid.

.20. n a refrigerator of the adsorption type an adsorption vessel,intermittently operating means for heating the same, a condenser vesselcontaining a liquid, said adsorption vessel and said condenser vesselhaving adjacent exterior surfaces forming part of the interior surfaceof an auxiliary vessel, a communication between the lower part of saidauxiliary vessel and said condenser vessel, and means comprising agasfilled vessel communicating with saidauxiliary vessel and adapted tobe heated by the said heating means or increasing the pressure in saidauxiliary vessel in order to transfer liquid' from the same to thecondenser vesse In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

IVAR AMIUNDSEN.

age tank communicating with said space, and i 50 means comprising a gasfilled vessel communicating with said space and adapted to be treated bythe said heating means for increasing the pressure in said space inorder to transfer liqpid from the 'same to the said 55 storage tan 18.Ina refrigerator of the adsorption type an adsorption vessel,intermittently. 7 operating means for heating the same, a condenservessel containing a liquid, said ad-.

60 sorption vessel and said condenser vessel havmg ad acent exteriorsurfaces forming part of the mterior surface of an auxiliary vessel,

a communication between the lower part of said auxiliary vessel and astorage tank con- 05 taining a liquid, and means controlled by

